INDERA SC PREVAIL OVER LLRC FT TO SECURE SEMI-FINAL BERTH
BY AK FAUZI PG SALLEH
INDERA SC are through to the semi-final of the Brunei FA Cup after defeating Liang Lumut Recreation Club (LLRC) FT 5-3 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas last night.
They will face the winner between the Royal Brunei Police Forces Sport Council (MS PDB) and Kilanas FC, the two teams doing battle in the last quarter-final tie on Friday.
Indera SC opened the scoring early in the game when Hamizan Aziz Sulaiman scored from the near post after he was found unmarked following the corner-kick in the 10th minute.
Indera SC's Mohammad Azwan Ali Rahman, who featured in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup qualifier in Myanmar, should have made it 2-0 in the 17th minute when he was set up by Hamizan's cross from the right but sent a glancing header wide.
He then latched onto a great pass by Hamizan three minutes later but fired his initial shot at LLRC FT goalkeeper Firman Taufik Nugraha before scooping the rebound over the bar.
Safuan Juhar made it 1-1 in the 27th minute after the referee awarded LLRC FT a penalty for a handball.
Safuan then made it 2-1 seven minutes later when he beautifully latched onto a Muhd Shah Hafiz Kifli through pass before calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper in a thrilling first-half.
The second-half was even more thrilling when Indera SC's Mohammad Azwan equalised in the 54th minute.
He made no mistake this time when he beat two defenders with a diagonal run before slamming a right-footed shot past LLRC FT goalkeeper Firman.
However, LLRC FT responded immediately when Muhd Shah Hafiz's 30m drive defeated Indera SC goalkeeper Ak Omar Nur Aqammadin Pg Hj Salehuddin in the 56th minute.
Substitute Muhammad Nazirul Nazreen Abdullah made it 3-3 in the 80th minute before Mohammad Khayrun Salleh and Mohammad Azwan scored in the 87th and 90th minutes, respectively to make it 5-3 to Indera SC in a dramatic second-half.
"I think LLRC FT played very well tonight," Indera SC coach Ishak Hj Kabon said.
"They played with a very good strategy and purpose in the game.
"We went down twice in the game and I think our defence was a bit loose tonight. We were too comfortable and complacent when we were leading 1-0 in the game.
"LLRC did very well to score two quick goals to steal the lead. However, in the end we did just enough to win the game tonight," he said.
"Azwan played very well in the final 20 minutes but I think Muhammad Nazirul Nazreen changed the game.
"He is a striker and he can play in many positions but I like to put him in midfield or right-back because he can run and set up good pass.
"Any team that made it to the top-four of the tournament is a good team so it is not going to be easy for us," he added.
INDERA SC are through to the semi-final of the Brunei FA Cup after defeating Liang Lumut Recreation Club (LLRC) FT 5-3 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas last night.
They will face the winner between the Royal Brunei Police Forces Sport Council (MS PDB) and Kilanas FC, the two teams doing battle in the last quarter-final tie on Friday.
Indera SC opened the scoring early in the game when Hamizan Aziz Sulaiman scored from the near post after he was found unmarked following the corner-kick in the 10th minute.
Indera SC's Mohammad Azwan Ali Rahman, who featured in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup qualifier in Myanmar, should have made it 2-0 in the 17th minute when he was set up by Hamizan's cross from the right but sent a glancing header wide.
He then latched onto a great pass by Hamizan three minutes later but fired his initial shot at LLRC FT goalkeeper Firman Taufik Nugraha before scooping the rebound over the bar.
Safuan Juhar made it 1-1 in the 27th minute after the referee awarded LLRC FT a penalty for a handball.
Safuan then made it 2-1 seven minutes later when he beautifully latched onto a Muhd Shah Hafiz Kifli through pass before calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper in a thrilling first-half.
The second-half was even more thrilling when Indera SC's Mohammad Azwan equalised in the 54th minute.
He made no mistake this time when he beat two defenders with a diagonal run before slamming a right-footed shot past LLRC FT goalkeeper Firman.
However, LLRC FT responded immediately when Muhd Shah Hafiz's 30m drive defeated Indera SC goalkeeper Ak Omar Nur Aqammadin Pg Hj Salehuddin in the 56th minute.
Substitute Muhammad Nazirul Nazreen Abdullah made it 3-3 in the 80th minute before Mohammad Khayrun Salleh and Mohammad Azwan scored in the 87th and 90th minutes, respectively to make it 5-3 to Indera SC in a dramatic second-half.
"I think LLRC FT played very well tonight," Indera SC coach Ishak Hj Kabon said.
"They played with a very good strategy and purpose in the game.
"We went down twice in the game and I think our defence was a bit loose tonight. We were too comfortable and complacent when we were leading 1-0 in the game.
"LLRC did very well to score two quick goals to steal the lead. However, in the end we did just enough to win the game tonight," he said.
"Azwan played very well in the final 20 minutes but I think Muhammad Nazirul Nazreen changed the game.
"He is a striker and he can play in many positions but I like to put him in midfield or right-back because he can run and set up good pass.
"Any team that made it to the top-four of the tournament is a good team so it is not going to be easy for us," he added.
